White resident moving into Black community in PG County? (Bowie: low crime, house)

[chit chatter]

There is all kinds of stories about white professionals moving into traditionally black communities to save money on rent. (Like in Harlem in NYC, in in parts of SE DC). I wonder how common this is in the suburbs of PG County. There are some really nice neighborhoods in PG County with relatively low crime and a nice middle class professional feel. The home prices in these communities are about half of a similar home in Alexandria or Fairfax County. The difference is the neighborhoods are in Southern PG County and are 99% African American.

As a White or Asian professional, would you move to a neighborhood in PG County that appeared to be middle class but was basically all African American? Do you feel that you would face the same type of discrimination from your black neighbors that they might experience moving into an all white community?

Any white or Asians living in basically all black neighborhoods in PG County and have any observations?

[wisedisguise]

I live in an older neighbor hood in Camp Springs that is probably over 90% black. I was here 25 years ago when the neighborhood was more diverse. I haven't had any problems with my immediate neighbors though there is this white guy down the street who grates me and others on the block. It is as though he is a hall monitor and wants to keep everyone in check. My black neighbors are more conservative than one might think as they have to work to keep their middle class homes. When people have such responsibilities they prioritize. I see kids running around like I would over in NOVA. Everyone has large lots so most have sheds to house the riding mowers that keep the grass cut. I see Asian, Hispanic and white families moving in from time to time and hope it continues so that the area becomes a bit more diverse. Did I mention we are 8 miles from the White House?

[dkf747]

Yes, I would, and I did. Not only in PG County either. There are plenty of white folks living in PG County.

[RamblingMan]

Originally Posted by chit chatter

There is all kinds of stories about white professionals moving into traditionally black communities to save money on rent. (Like in Harlem in NYC, in in parts of SE DC). I wonder how common this is in the suburbs of PG County. There are some really nice neighborhoods in PG County with relatively low crime and a nice middle class professional feel. The home prices in these communities are about half of a similar home in Alexandria or Fairfax County. The difference is the neighborhoods are in Southern PG County and are 99% African American.

As a White or Asian professional, would you move to a neighborhood in PG County that appeared to be middle class but was basically all African American? Do you feel that you would face the same type of discrimination from your black neighbors that they might experience moving into an all white community?

Any white or Asians living in basically all black neighborhoods in PG County and have any observations?

First of all, there's more diversity in Prince George's County than you might realize. The county is about 65% African American. I doubt that any of the middle class neighborhoods you're talking about are anywhere near 99% populated by any single race.

I am not an African American, and I love living in my home which happens to be in a predominantly African American neighborhood. The middle class, professional African Americans in my neighborhood are pretty much like middle class professionals anywhere else in America. I try to be a good neighbor and to treat people with courtesy and respect and I find that I usually get similar treatment in return.

[wisedisguise]

Originally Posted by RamblingMan

First of all, there's more diversity in Prince George's County than you might realize. The county is about 65% African American. I doubt that any of the middle class neighborhoods you're talking about are anywhere near 99% populated by any single race.

I am not an African American, and I love living in my home which happens to be in a predominantly African American neighborhood. The middle class, professional African Americans in my neighborhood are pretty much like middle class professionals anywhere else in America. I try to be a good neighbor and to treat people with courtesy and respect and I find that I usually get similar treatment in return.

My point exactly. It takes good neighbors, no regard to pigmentation, to have a good neighborhood and most people catch on real quick. I try to be the best I can.

[Missingatlanta]

My neighbors are white and we have a few other white families that live in our neighborhood as well. The church down the street from us mostly has white congregants.

[chit chatter]

Originally Posted by Missingatlanta

My neighbors are white and we have a few other white families that live in our neighborhood as well. The church down the street from us mostly has white congregants.

So where do you live? Laurel, Bowie, Beltsville, Hyattsville, Greenbelt, College Park, Upper Marlboro? There is a share of towns in PG County that have lots of white people. My post had to do specifically with those towns in Southern PG County inside the Beltway that seem pleasant enough and have some really low cost housing for the DC area but are 90% Black. I was just interested in White people's experiences living there because they would be a nice easy commute to my job in Alexandria at half the cost.

[Missingatlanta]

Originally Posted by chit chatter

So where do you live? Laurel, Bowie, Beltsville, Hyattsville, Greenbelt, College Park, Upper Marlboro? There is a share of towns in PG County that have lots of white people. My post had to do specifically with those towns in Southern PG County inside the Beltway that seem pleasant enough and have some really low cost housing for the DC area but are 90% Black. I was just interested in White people's experiences living there because they would be a nice easy commute to my job in Alexandria at half the cost.

I live in Southern PG. Some good options for you may be Ft. Washington, Clinton, or Accokeek. I especially see a lot of white people in Accokeek and Ft. Washington. There is also a sizable Filipino population in southern PG also.

One of my white co-workers lives in Bowie and is always going on about how I need to move over there too. She's in her 60s and has lived in Bowie since she was in her 20s.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by chit chatter

So where do you live? Laurel, Bowie, Beltsville, Hyattsville, Greenbelt, College Park, Upper Marlboro? There is a share of towns in PG County that have lots of white people. My post had to do specifically with those towns in Southern PG County inside the Beltway that seem pleasant enough and have some really low cost housing for the DC area but are 90% Black. I was just interested in White people's experiences living there because they would be a nice easy commute to my job in Alexandria at half the cost.

I have a friend who lives in District Heights. I haven't seen any white people living there, but the area seems really nice.

[chit chatter]

Originally Posted by dkf747

I have a friend who lives in District Heights. I haven't seen any white people living there, but the area seems really nice.

Those Black Dominated towns like Oxon Hill, District Heights, Marlow Heights, etc. are the towns I am talking about. Middle Class and very inexpensive. But would a white man be accepted, that is my question.